a market plunge, but some economists estimate that because of the uncertainty posed by the fiscal cliff, at least 200,000 fewer jobs have been created this year. and, diane, the official deadline for the fiscal cliff is december 31st at midnight when the ball drops in times square, but there's actually another deadline. the house of representatives is scheduled to go on winter break a week from friday, so really there are only 11 days to work out a plan as of now, diane. >> talk about the clock ticking down. thanks so much, jake. >>> and, of course, the president also spoke out today about the lethal stockpile of chemical weapons in the hands of the brutal regime in syria. chemicals so deadly, one drop can kill within minutes. abc's senior foreign affairs correspondent martha raddatz on these weapons and whether it means the u.s. may be forced to take action. >> reporter: the latest intelligence is alarming. officials telling abc news the u.s. is now seeing specific signs that the syrian regime may be preparing to use the chemical sarin against opposition forces. sarin is an extremely t